Make an urgent or emergency application to the Court of Protection

You can apply to the Court of Protection to get an urgent or emergency court order in certain circumstances, for example when someone’s life or welfare is at risk and a decision has to be made without delay. If the court agrees, you’ll be able to make the necessary decision on behalf of the person who lacks mental capacity.

You won’t get a court order unless the court decides it’s a serious matter with an unavoidable time limit.

Apply for an urgent interim order

You can get an urgent interim order if you’re applying to become a deputy but your application hasn’t been approved yet.

If your application is approved, you can make a decision on the other person’s behalf.

The order must be for a specific one-off decision that needs to be made without delay, for example to get money from the person’s bank account to pay outstanding nursing home fees.

There’s no fee for an urgent interim order application.

If you’ve already submitted your application to become a deputy

Download and fill in an application notice (COP9). Include an explanation of why the decision is urgent and can’t wait until you’re appointed deputy. Send the original and one copy to the court.

You must also send copies of any evidence, for example accounts or an invoice from a nursing home, together with your application notice.

Court of Protection
PO Box 70185
First Avenue House
42-49 High Holborn
London
WC1A 9JA

Apply for an emergency order

You can make an emergency application if you need a court order for a decision in a very serious situation, for example to stop someone who lacks mental capacity from being removed from where they live or to give them treatment for a serious medical problem.

Apply by contacting the emergency applications number. The urgent business officer will discuss the matter with you and arrange to receive your application so it can be considered by a judge.